Page 48 of Always Been Yours

That’s why you’re going to make a better head coach than me.

Seriously, I trust your calls going forward but I appreciate the consideration.

After the meal, we’re all sitting around the table while Calypso brings out the cake.

Everyone takes their seat at the table again, and the beginning of the universal birthday song starts in a melody of off-key voices—before Stella insists that everyone who can, sing the Spanish version too—but it’s one of the best sounds I’ve ever heard. Maybe eventhebest sound with the sweet voices from my daughters mixed in.

When the song ends, I glance around the table and shamelessly let my gaze fall on Vivi for a few too short seconds before I take adeep breath and blow out the two candles that spell out 2-9.

For the rest of the night my wish plays through my head on repeat.

For my best friend back—for her to take a chance on me again.

Tue, Sept 6 at 5:02 AM

Arielle

Happy birthday, Grady! I hope you have a great day.

Thanks, Arielle.

What are your plans for today?

Just having dinner with the girls. I was with the family last night.

They’re probably so happy you’re home.

Wish I was celebrating another year with you.

Chapter Seventeen

Vivi

I’m currently huddled between Asher and Lexi while we watch the Seals play against one of the other charter schools in the San Diego area. High Tides plays some of the smaller public schools in the area throughout the sport seasons, but they try to partner with as many of the alternative schools as possible.

It’s colder than usual for late September and to say that none of us came prepared is an understatement.

“Look who I found,” Calypso’s voice rings out over the cheering crowd, carrying another round of apple ciders. “They had the same idea as us, only smarter.”

“No surprise there,” Asher jokes.

Knox throws a blanket toward Lexi at the same moment Calypso hands me my drink.

“You, my dear, are an angel. Have I told you that before?” Lexi wraps herself so tightly that there isn’t room for anyone else. I scoot down and snuggle between Knox and Lucas, who places another blanket around my shoulders.

“Yes, yes. You want two daddies to tuck you in at night,” Knox waves a hand in her general direction but wraps an arm aroundme. I stick my tongue out at her, like a child. As much as we love each other, competing and pestering is seared into our DNA by this point.

I’ve been making a conscious effort to spend more time with Knox and Lucas. I even went to dinner at their house this past week and scolded myself the entire time for not going sooner.

I could see the questions swimming in Knox’s eyes all throughout dinner, but he took pity on me and didn’t mention Grady once, except to tell me about how the first week of practice went.

‘Oh, good enough,’ Knox had said, ‘but it’s going to take a while to get their little pecking order in line. Grady and I are leaning toward Jeremy for team captain.’

I thought it was a great idea. Jeremy’s been working at Brighter Daze for almost two years now, and he’s best friends with Lexi’s little brother Johnny. When I told them, Calypso and Lexi couldn’t agree more that he was the right choice.

The only downside of the night was when Lucas asked me about Brody.

I know Lucas grew up here, but I didn’t think they knew each other. Lucas was a football player and in Calypso’s grade. But I forgot that Brody’s dad worked for Maddon Construction for over fifteen years.

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